Louisiana regulators may reduce payments to solar-power users

9:03 AM,
Apr. 17, 2013

Lucille Hayward is seen in front of her Shreveport home that has a roof full of solar panels. Hayward leases the panels and is able to save on her electricity bill and push some of the electricity back into the power grid.

Written by

John Andrew Prime
Gannett Louisiana

SHREVEPORT -- In Louisiana today, if someone has solar panels on his house and pumps power into the electrical grid rather than using it, he can claim that amount at its full retail value at the end of the month.

That could change when the Louisiana Public Service Commission meets today in Baton Rouge to consider a change in the "net metering rules" that determine the rate at which, if at all, solar customers are credited for power sent to the utilities.

The proposed change would allow utilities to credit solar producers at a wholesale rate - 3 to 4 cents a kilowatt hour - for power they can turn around ...